Over-Ear
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
83Outstanding
$1,400
Full review dataHiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth vs Sony Mdr-Z1r: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 83. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth - Outstanding overall at around $1399.
Over-Ear
Sony Mdr-Z1r
70Good
$1,320
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth leads on 3 of 4 measures.
- HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
- Sony Mdr-Z1r
HearWiki score
83
70
Sound
9.3
8.3
Value
8.8
5.2
Price (USD)
$1,400
$1,320
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth is 6 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price. For 6 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- HE 1000 Stealth20236 yr newer
- Mdr-Z1r2017
Specifications
HE 1000 StealthMdr-Z1r
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $1,400
- $1,320
- HearWiki score
- 83
- 70
- Released
- 2023
- 2017
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- planar magnetic
- 70 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- planar
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 70 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 8 Hz - 65 kHz
- 4 Hz - 120 kHz
- Sound signature
- neutral
- -
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 64 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 93 dB/mW
- 100 dB/mW
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Weight
- 458 g
- 385 g
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- No
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced connection
- Yes
- Yes
What reviewers said
HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth
The HiFiMAN HE 1000 Stealth is a wired, open-back planar magnetic flagship that delivers a neutral, highly detailed sound signature. It's easier to drive than typical planars thanks to its 32-ohm impedance and 93 dB sensitivity, yet still rewards quality amplification. With its relatively lightweight build for a large headphone and detachable balanced cable, it offers strong technical performance and comfort, though its size and price may not suit everyone.
- Pro:Refined, neutral sound with excellent detail
- Pro:Easier to drive than most planar headphones
- Pro:Comfortable for its large over-ear design
- Con:Still relatively heavy at 458 grams
- Con:Large fit may be awkward for smaller heads
- Con:Treble can sound uneven on bright recordings
Sony Mdr-Z1r
The Sony MDR-Z1R is a premium closed-back over-ear headphone featuring a massive 70mm dynamic driver and an ultra-wide frequency response. Its build quality and comfort are consistently praised, delivering a spacious, detailed sound with powerful bass, though its tonal balance may not suit every listener. These wired headphones are best paired with high-quality audio gear to unlock their full potential.
- Pro:Exceptional build quality and premium materials
- Pro:Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- Pro:Large, immersive soundstage with strong imaging
- Con:Bass-heavy tuning may overwhelm some genres
- Con:Treble can sound piercing or harsh at times
- Con:Midrange is somewhat recessed
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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